Making the most of Computer Science resources

Studying Computer Science isn’t just about attending lectures and submitting assignments. There are so many resources available that can make life easier, help you learn faster, and even give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs. A lot of these are completely free, but they only help if you use them.

Here are some of the best ones you should take advantage of as a CS student;

JetBrains Package

If you haven’t already, download the JetBrains package. It gives you access to IntelliJ IDEA, which (personally) I find the best IDE, especially for Java as well as Pycharm. The smart suggestions, built-in debugging tools such as breakpoints and profilers, and seamless Git integration just make coding a smoother experience. It’s worth trying out, and since it’s free for students, there’s no reason not to. Who knows, you may find your new favourite IDE.

Free GitHub Developer Pack

This is something every CS student should set up ASAP. GitHub offers a free Developer Pack to students, which includes private repos, GitHub Copilot, Datacamp, and even some AWS credits. If you’re building projects or want to get better at version control, this pack is a goldmine and has loads of features.

Microsoft Office Package

You probably already know about Microsoft Office, but don’t sleep on it. Having free access to OneNote, Excel, Word, and Teams is super useful. OneNote is great for organising lecture notes, Excel helps with any data-related coursework, and Word is obviously essential for most assignments. If you’re working on a group project, Teams makes collaboration a lot easier, not to mention its also one of the top forms of communication at uni. 

Overleaf

At some point (especially in your final year), you might need to write a research paper, dissertation, or anything that requires LaTeX. Overleaf is an online LaTeX editor that makes formatting easier, especially for documents with a lot of math or structured layouts. And at uni, you get it for FREE!

Societies

Most CS-related societies at university organise hackathons, workshops, and networking events. These are great for building experience, learning from pros and other students, and boosting your CV. Plus, you get to meet other students who are also passionate about tech, which can lead to cool collaborations and potentially future partnerships.

More academic related resources include office hours and TAs. One of the best ways to actually understand course material is by going to office hours. These are designated times when professors are available to help with questions. Instead of spending hours stuck on something, you can just go and get an answer directly. There are also TAs (Teaching Assistants)which are students a year or two ahead or PhD students who run support sessions. They explain difficult concepts, walk you through handouts, and can be a major help if you're struggling with content. These are very valuable resources that are underrated.